PLEASE READ THIS FIRST: Matthew 17:22-23
What do you sense the Lord saying to you in this passage?
“On the third day He will be raised to life.” (Matthew 17:23).
How much do you think about the resurrection?
The disciples couldn’t even hear it when Jesus said it.
They only heard the words “they will kill Him”, and that was too much.
Like the disciples, we often focus more on the dying than the rising.
Resurrection gives us hope that as bad as things get, it won’t stay that way.
Whatever crisis, challenge or struggle we experience, something better will follow.
The Deceiver keeps us focused on the negative, to drive us to despair.
It takes determination and discipline not to give in, and to be open for hope.
“Fix your eyes on Jesus” (Hebrews 12:2), let Him lead you through this.
I don’t know why things happen, but I do trust that Jesus is leading me through them.
Jesus is reminding us daily of His resurrection, are we hearing it?
Are we hearing the Deceiver’s voice, or the Saviour’s voice?
Are we focusing on the despair of death, or clinging to the hope of life?
“Because I live, you also will live” (John 14:19)… am I hearing this?
PRAYER
Lord, You have said it often enough, but I am not always hearing it. You have opened the way through death to life, and I will be “raised to life” through this!
The disciples were very much aware of the situation – how the leaders were really out to shut Jesus down – their grief was totally genuine. When we face uncertainty – i.e., cancer, confrontation, a road blockade in an unsecure place – how do we feel? Jesus tried to comfort his disciples that He would be raised again and not remain dead – but they only saw death. I do well not to see only the circumstances but go beyond them to what Jesus promises for me. That is my living hope.
It must have been very hard for Jesus’ disciples to hear that He would soon die. They probably couldn’t fathom the idea of Jesus’ resurrection, even though He said He would be raised on the third day. It’s also interesting to note that Jesus speaks in the third person as He tells them this news. Why wouldn’t He used the first person?
Knowing the rest of the story and how Jesus defeated death, I am grateful to be living on this side of Jesus’ resurrection.
Thank you Jesus, for rescuing me from sin and death and for preparing a place for me in Your kingdom.